Why not quarantine McDonald's and ban soda pop?

[Emergent]

With all this talk about the Coronavirus, and all the risks to the vulnerable population, why aren't we banning junk food and soda pop?

We are severely impacting our economy because of this concerning virus, yet the very real things that are threatening more people, and compromising their health, is okay with the government.

The dietary habits of America are appalling. They have decreased the general health of the population greatly. We have mitigated that with expensive medications and treatments. But wouldn't it be better if we did things to prevent these problems?

Yet, the state is taking drastic measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. This is a question worth asking.

[Daisy4RN]

2 hours ago, Emergent said:

The problem is that the government is already in debt and now is bailing everybody out. Who's going to bail out the government?

Nobody has any reserves. I posted on our community page that I was recommending that landlords check in with their tenants. I told everyone that I am temporarily lowering the rent on my 2 rentals. Both of the husband's fortunately are able to work from home, but the wives are temporarily laid off because their work is considered non-essential.

Of course people, said, oh you're so amazing (which I am not, it's in my interest to have a good relationship with my tenants and help keep them solvent during a National crisis). Then 1 lady said that she wishes she could do that but can't afford to. I told her that the mortgage company sent me a notice saying that I could have my mortgage payment on one rental suspended temporarily (the other is paid off).

The point being, too many people are overextended and in debt up to their ears. The country is overextended in in debt up to its ears. Farmers are overextended and in debt up to their ears. Hospitals are overextended in in debt up to their ears. All it takes is one big crisis, like a little virus, and the whole thing comes tumbling down.

I tried to explain that if you are a landlord you have a very big moral responsibility. It's not just an impersonal money-making operation, your lives are intertwined. It's the same with corporations. Unfortunately Corporate America is so consumed with greed and quarterly bonuses that they have lost their moral bearings. So much of what is happening is a moral problem.

You are right, there are too many individuals, as well as the gov, who are overextended. Some because of ligit reasons, others because they are irresponsible. At this point I am not sure why landlords would not work with those affected financially, seems it would be easier than starting over with a new tenant. You know who will bail out the gov, the tax payers!

15 hours ago, Emergent said:

With all this talk about the Coronavirus, and all the risks to the vulnerable population, why aren't we banning junk food and soda pop?

Is Takis Fuego included in junk foods, LOL

[Daisy4RN]

2 hours ago, moriahcat said:

And yes, after kooks came out and called such discussions the beginning of "death panels", that proposal was killed.

Thank you for your post!

And yes, I am not happy about that either.

[Emergent, RN]

1 hour ago, Daisy4RN said:

You are right, there are too many individuals, as well as the gov, who are overextended. Some because of ligit reasons, others because they are irresponsible. At this point I am not sure why landlords would not work with those affected financially, seems it would be easier than starting over with a new tenant. You know who will bail out the gov, the tax payers!

Is Takis Fuego included in junk foods, LOL

E all have our guilty pleasures. Moderation is key.

Fortunately, no shortages of craft beer. ?

[guest1146168]

7 hours ago, Emergent said:

There was a stated realization that most people would get exposed to the virus eventually. The estimates were 80% would eventually come down with the virus.

The whole point of the quarantine / lockdown is to flatten the curve, and thus avoid overwhelming the medical system. That was the rationale given to the public for these drastic measures.

Take that argument and apply it to my thread here, which is partially for humor, but also there is a serious point to be made. The dietary and lifestyle choices of Americans are overwhelming our medical system as well. They are hitting us all financially, since healthcare is a pooled resource even without a government funded system.

Yet, the federal government allows people on food stamps to buy soda pop. McDonald's can keep their drive-thrus open even in a national health emergency.

I just dislike hypocrisy and inconsistency. We all are being asked to sacrifice a lot right now. This lockdown might damage our economy for years if it isn't lifted before long.

I'm hopeful that there will be good that will come out of this. But I'm also doubtful at the same time.

I think the idea was to flatten the curve and offer time to develop a vaccine.. The only fly in the ointment is that a vaccine is still a long ways away, as are definitive treatments , advanced retrospective analysis of high volumes of cases. we don't even know once you have antibodies if it protects you from re-infection . there is at least some pool of evidence to suggest possibly not. It seems every day we find out something else that is surprising about this virus. (a couple years from now we'll know near everything ..at least those of us still around) But for many of these reasons it is imperative we don't lift restrictions too soon.

I agree that chronic populations in America d/t lifestyle are a real problem but I don't think it's a simple as not letting people buy junk (historically any time some has tried that , the usual players in the outrage industry are up in arms about how we're "restricting freedoms". or something). At least some of that is a symptom of poverty and underserved communities. While I knew, I was still shocked when I started doing the shopping (I admit I avoided it as long as I could) at just how much cheaper non-nutritious junk is than produce and wholesome food. And most of the dollar stores and such that are prevalent in underserved communities don't even offer produce, meat or even any variety of frozen vegetables.

Solutions? No definitive ones, but I think we can start by looking at societal problems holistically much as we look at disease and patient care.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

All I know is, I swabbed noses for my entire shift today, in full, sweaty PPE. On the drive home, my McDonald’s french fries were essential! Thank you for your service, McD’s workers.

[toomuchbaloney]

50 minutes ago, CommunityRNBSN said:

All I know is, I swabbed noses for my entire shift today, in full, sweaty PPE. On the drive home, my McDonald’s french fries were essential! Thank you for your service, McD’s workers.

The simple pleasures and small victories help to fill our buckets. Thank goodness.

[NormaSaline]

I can't tell you how much I like this posting!

The virus is having a disproportionate impact on almost any area or city's population that is more disadvantage economically. A group of people stressed and often pressed for time, their diet is often (not always) poor, with a heavy emphasis on processed carbohydrates, sugar and HFCS. For what seems like years now I’ve been saying, writing, yelling that what we put in our bodies is tied directly to our health outcomes and here we have something that is illustrating in the cold hard light as almost nothing else can the truth of this. No one listened or is listening.

[toomuchbaloney]

3 hours ago, NormaSaline said:

I can't tell you how much I like this posting!

The virus is having a disproportionate impact on almost any area or city's population that is more disadvantage economically. A group of people stressed and often pressed for time, their diet is often (not always) poor, with a heavy emphasis on processed carbohydrates, sugar and HFCS. For what seems like years now I’ve been saying, writing, yelling that what we put in our bodies is tied directly to our health outcomes and here we have something that is illustrating in the cold hard light as almost nothing else can the truth of this. No one listened or is listening.

I couldn't agree more.

In the Winter I take my preschool grandson to McDonald's once a week or so to play when it's 40 below. We go for brunch so that I can have pancakes with my coffee. That's the only reason I ever go to fast food restaurants...coffee or indoor play area for the kids.

Our nutrition is a huge contributing factor to American falling health outcomes and life expectancies. But we don't like to be told what we can or should do or eat...

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Right now nurses can get a free meal from McDonald's if they show their badge. I won't be going.

[toomuchbaloney]

6 minutes ago, Workitinurfava said:

Right now nurses can get a free meal from McDonald's if they show their badge. I won't be going.

It's a thoughtful gesture though...

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Because people have the right to make their own bad decisions. To quote Alfred the Great from my favorite Netflix show "Decisions are made and consequences follow that is the way of things."

[toomuchbaloney]

1 hour ago, hppygr8ful said:

Because people have the right to make their own bad decisions. To quote Alfred the Great from my favorite Netflix show "Decisions are made and consequences follow that is the way of things."

Consequences are uneven and fickle, though. Poor people eat crap and have poor access to healthcare or free time recreation. The stress of poverty increases the cardiovascular diseases and those of despair.